Individual Details

COLONEL (USAF RETIRED) ERNEST WILBURN PATE Colonel (USAF Retired) Ernest Wilburn Pate died peacefully at his home on December 25, 2015, of natural causes. Col. Pate was born in Birmingham, Alabama, on September 6, 1917. Col. Pate graduated from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (later to become Auburn University) in 1939. He was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was also a cadet in the Army ROTC detachment and was selected to go into the US Army Air Corps. Col. Pate was a Command pilot and had a distinguished 34-year career both in the US Army Air Corps and the US Air Force. As part of the Greatest Generation in World War II, Col. Pate flew the C-47 Skytrain as part of the Air Carrier Groups in England, dropping troops and towing wooden box gliders on numerous campaigns, including Operation Market Garden and the D-Day invasion into Normandy. After WWII, Col. Pate became one of the first squadron commanders for the Alabama Air National Guard, flying both the P-51 Mustang and the B-26 Marauder. Col. Pate returned to active duty with assignments worldwide to include Newfoundland, Japan, and the Philippines, culminating in his last USAF assignment, flying the T-33 Shooting Star, as the Wing Commander at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He retired in June of 1972. Col. Pate's US Army Air Corps and AF awards included two Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals and four Air Force Commendation Medals. Once retired, as the president of the Beauregard Volunteer Fire Department, he worked through the state of Alabama to acquire funds and equipment which helped the BVFD become a fully operational department. Col. Pate was a member of the Auburn Kiwanis Club, the Opelika Rotary Club, lifetime member of the Auburn Alumni Association, lifetime member of the Air Force Association, member of the Saugahatchee Country Club. Col. Pate was truly a loving husband, great father and a friend to many. Col. Pate is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Madelyn Tillery Pate. He is also survived by their four sons, Kerry (Pamela) Pate, Steve (Anita) Pate, Doug (Leigh) Pate and Bob (Kari) Pate. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Jon (Ann Yates) Pate, Anna Pate Vanderbleek (Jared), Lindsey Pate Warren (Josh), Leah Pate, Elizabeth Pate, Carson Pate, Steven Pate and Davis Pate; as well as his great-grandchildren Mims and Bennie Pate (and another on the way). He is also survived by his sister in-law, Mrs. Alex C. (Ruth) Pate of Birmingham. Memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Pate has requested that donations be made to the Beauregard Volunteer Fire Department, 7450 AL Hwy. 51, Opelika, AL 36804 Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home & Crematory is directing. www.jeffcoattrant.com
Jan 10, 2016

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Birth	6 Sep 1917	Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
Marriage	1951	Living
Death	25 Dec 2015

Spouse	Living
Child	Living